Jennifer Lydon has a passion for hairstyling that predates her 22 years of professional experience. “We have pictures of me cutting my brother’s hair in the tub,” she laughs. “I thought I was Vidal Sassoon.” Lydon’s knack for mimicking hairstyling methods built a solid foundation for the skills she later learned in school, but technique is only part of Lydon’s style. Her first employer and mentor taught her the importance of accessible, friendly salons. He eschewed bourgeois ambiance and instead built a highly educated staff of genuinely kind people. “It was just a really beautiful place to work, and that’s what I’m trying to do here,” Lydon says, referring to Q Salon & Spa.
At her salon, Lydon leads a team of stylists in cutting hair of all types and ethnicities. Stylists specialize in treatments that range from keratin smoothing treatments to styling dreads in the beautiful salon with natural light, clean white styling stations, and colorful fine art doling out pointers. When her stylists tackle a new head of hair, Lydon says they make every effort to customize their cuts and colors to individual lifestyles. “When [customers] leave here, how much time do they actually spend [on styling]? You have to start there and build a rapport and, in some levels, a friendship, because there has to be trust there.”

Boston’s leader in helping men and women LOOK FRESH AND VIBRANT AT ANY AGE!
Made up of a team of physicians, facial cosmetic surgeons, nurse practitioners and medical aestheticians dedicated to developing and providing customized state-of-the-art cosmetic, laser and skin rejuvenation treatments. Operating since 1999.

To call The Body Shop a mere skin and body care store is to miss half of what makes it special. Late founder Dame Anita Roddick was a pioneer for ethical business practices; upon opening her first store in Brighton, England, in 1976, she developed company values such as "Defend Human Rights" and "Protect The Planet." She somehow balanced principles and profit, partnering in global campaigns with UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all while ultimately expanding her brand into 2,500 locations in over 60 international markets. After her death in 2007, then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, ?She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market. . . . She was an inspiration.?
Indeed, the Body Shop exhibits an eco-friendliness and social consciousness that's hard to come by in a company of its size. Its products have been fair-trade since 1987, and its Against Animal Testing movement led to an EU-wide ban of animal testing of cosmetics. The products are made from ingredients harvested from around the world: shea butter from Ghana goes into body scrubs and butters, and Indian artisans craft wooden massagers and tote bags that are screenprinted by hand. But all that isn't to say the company's production practices overshadow its final products. Skincare treatments such as the brand?s iconic body butters, facial products, and gift collections often appear in Allure, Marie Claire, Lucky, Seventeen and other national publications.

Brands Used: Framesi, Redken, Biolage, Shuga and more
Established: 2011
Reservations/Appointments: Recommended
Staff Size: 11?25 people
Parking: Free street parking
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Walk-ins Welcome: Yes
Pro Tip: Ask your stylist for product recommendations for your hair type. Our products are always discounted.
Q&A with Julie, Marketing Director
What's the number one grooming tip every person should know?
Partially dry your hair with a blow dryer, or air dry, before brushing. Brushing wet hair can damage your strands and cause split ends. Flat-paddle brushes are the best if you must brush your wet hair.
Part of being a good stylist is mastering the art of conversation. What are some pro tips for talking to strangers?
[We] bring up topics everyone can relate to. [We] ask about family, kids, work, what they do for fun or what plans they have for their days off.

Groupon Guide

We are always searching and scouring for the perfect manicure. Boston has an incredible selection of nail salons in every part of the city. Some salons are just not in your price range or your manicure may come out looking like you did it yourself. Fortunately, there is a solution. Two of the best finds in the city are City Nails and MiniLuxe.
City Nails is located on Washington Street in the South End. Through endless searches, this is the perfect nail salon. The salon which also offers waxing is never overcrowded at any one time. It's easy to make an appointment or especially to just walk in. The shelves are filled with an abundance of colors, especially the latest and greatest. Manicures are set up on an adorable bar with fabulous tunes playing in the background.
The key to this salon is in fact the manicures themselves. Lasting for at least a true week, polish goes on smoothly with no mistakes and nail techs can create any shape you may desire you nails to be. Cuticles are given a great deal of attention here; this just may be the reason nails look so fabulous and fresh after.
Who doesn't like a hand massage? The staff here aims to pamper and uses incredible creams and cuticle oils. Hands are massaged until baby soft. Prices are perfect at $12 a manicure. See for yourself and you won't be disappointed.
Another pleasing salon located on Newbury Street is MiniLuxe. This may be a bit more high end but really gives you that spa feeling you may be looking for. This salon is really unique to visit. Jewelry, creams, tweezers, and the best beauty products around are sold here and give clients something to peruse if there is a wait.
Promoting "me time", there is the right service for you. Nail art, gel, warm oil manicures, and hair removal services are performed here in this serene, calm setting. They even cater to the little ones with their "TeenyLuxe Manicure". Prices are a bit higher here at $19 a manicure, but the overall experience is worth the trip.
This salon also offers Mini-Series packages in sets of three for additional savings. This is quite a perk in the nail world.
Try them for yourself and finally be pleased with the way your nails look. No regrets this time!